Current U.S. Administration

This NAFSA page links to executive actions by the President and administrative actions by federal agencies that relate to international education, during the Trump-Vance administration. Key actions related to international education include:

• DOJ Anti-Semitism Task Force to Visit 10 Campuses. On February 28, 2025, DOJ announced that the "Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism" will be visiting 10 university campuses that have "experienced antisemitic incidents since October 2023." See NAFSA's page.
• Executive Order of March 1, 2025: Designating English as the Official Language of The United States. EO on whitehouse.gov. This executive order designates English as the official language of the United States and revokes Biden's Executive Order 13166 of August 11, 2000 (Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency). The new executive order states, though, that "nothing in this order, however, requires or directs any change in the services provided by any agency. Agency heads should make decisions as they deem necessary to fulfill their respective agencies’ mission and efficiently provide Government services to the American people. Agency heads are not required to amend, remove, or otherwise stop production of documents, products, or other services prepared or offered in languages other than English."
• Executive Order of February 26, 2025: Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Cost Efficiency Initiative. Targets "discretionary spending through Federal contracts, grants, loans, and related instruments," including "non-essential" travel to conferences and other purposes. See NAFSA's page.
• New Immigration Registration Requirements. Guidance that USCIS posted on February 25, 2025 will require young nonimmigrants who turn 14 while in the U.S. to "re-register" with USCIS within 30 days of their birthday, even if previously registered when entering the country. This may affect, for example, F-2, J-2, H-4 dependents and young F-1/J-1 students who entered before age 14. Most nonimmigrants (e.g., F-1, J-1, H-1B, etc.) who entered the U.S. at age 14+ are already automatically registered (as evidenced by their Form I-94) and DON'T need to re-register. The new registration process isn't available yet but USCIS will announce it when ready. This is also a good time to remind noncitizens to carry their registration document and timely report address changes. Visit NAFSA's page for more details.
• Trump "Gold Card." According to Reuters and other news sources, on February 25, 2025 President Trump announced plans to replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program with a so-called "gold card" program in which lawful permanent residence could be purchased for $5 million. Read more.
• DOS Revises Visa Interview Waiver Policy. A February 18, 2025 Interview Waiver Update rescinds prior DOS expansions of interview waiver authority, for example, reinstating the statutory 12-month post-expiration period for applicants who previously held a visa in the same category. This marks a shift from the previous policy, which allowed interview waivers for applicants whose prior visa had expired within the past 48 months. See NAFSA's page.
• DOS. 15-Day Pause on DOS Grant Disbursements. NAFSA notes that members have reported receiving notifications on February 13, 2025 from the Department of State of a "15-Day Pause on Grant Disbursements in the Payment Management System" that took effect on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. The pause applies to all current and future grant payments scheduled during this period. The communications acknowledge that this will impact recipients, ability to carry out program activities and financial planning, but offer no further guidance except that recipients can contact their Grants Officer with questions.
• Cap on NIH indirect funding. On February 7, 2025 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) imposed a 15% cap on the "indirect cost" rate for all NIH grants. On February 10, 2025 the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts temporarily blocked implementation of the 15% cap. The court set a hearing for February 21, 2025. In the meantime, NIH is blocked from implementing the 15% cap nationwide. See NAFSA's page.

Join us for a critical townhall discussion on the evolving landscape of international education policy 40 days into the new US administration. Our expert panel will examine the current status of Executive Orders affecting international education, explore NAFSA's strategic focus and approaches to these challenges, and share diverse perspectives from practitioners in the field. Our host, NAFSA CEO Fanta Aw will be joined by Simon Emmett of IDP Education as well as Rachel Banks, Caroline Donovan White, and Joann Ng Hartman from NAFSA. We'll conclude with an action-oriented conversation on future directions and collaborative solutions. This session provides essential insights for international education professionals seeking to understand and respond to the policy shifts impacting our work. Register today!

NAFSA joined more than 60 associations in a letter sent by the American Council on Education (ACE) to the Department of Education (DoED), asking the agency to rescind its February 14, 2025, Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) and "work to promulgate guidance that reflects existing law."

On February 3rd, NAFSA joined the American Council on Education and 29 other higher education associations in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, congratulating him on his recent confirmation and addressing key priorities for higher education. The letter emphasized concerns about visa processing delays and denials that could discourage international students from choosing U.S. institutions, and   reiterated U.S. higher education’s commitment to collaborating on national security concerns while protecting beneficial global academic exchange.

NAFSA remains committed to its long-standing priorities of ensuring the global competency of U.S. college graduates through expanding access to study abroad and attracting and retaining the best and brightest international talent.

On January 22 NAFSA CEO Dr. Fanta Aw and policy experts examined the path forward for international education. In this month's #IE30 discussion we were joined by NAFSA board member Ahmad Ezzeddine and Jill Allen Murray and Rachel Banks of NAFSA's Public Policy team to explore priorities, resources, and collaborative opportunities for strengthening the field in this political environment.

NAFSA staff members David Fosnocht and Steve Springer had a discussion on February 13 on student and scholar advising and the new presidential administration. They discussed vehicles an administration can use to effect change, reviewed interests of the prior Trump administration that may be revived, and described steps you may take to avoid problems. They also noted sources you may use to keep up with developments and explained how you can get involved in NAFSA’s advocacy efforts.

In a November 14, 2024 panel on LinkedIn, "IE30: Postelection Town Hall," panelists Fanta Aw, LaNitra Berger, Stuart Anderson, and Jill Allen Murray discussed discuss the outcome of the U.S. elections and the potential impact on the international education community.

Statement by Dr. Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, on November 6, 2024. “For more than 75 years, NAFSA has advocated for policies that expand the reach and impact of international education. We remain committed to educating the incoming administration and Congress on the regulatory changes and policies that will strengthen the field and extend opportunities for global learning."

Helpful resources from NAFSA and others on initiatives under the Second Trump Administration